A couple weeks ago, UF cornerback Jalen Tabor said if he was going to declare for the NFL Draft after this season, he was going to do it "the right way."
He wanted to make sure he had the chance to thank everyone who helped him through his journey.
He took that opportunity on Thursday.
The All-American cornerback announced through an article on The Players' Tribune that he is forgoing his final season of eligibility and declaring for the NFL Draft. He is projected as a first-round draft pick by almost every mock draft and is the No. 16 prospect on ESPN analyst Todd McShay's big board.
"It’s an exciting time for me," Tabor wrote in his post, titled "A Letter to The Gator Nation." "I’ve decided to do what’s best for me and my family by continuing to pursue my dreams. But I’m not saying goodbye. I’m saying see you later. Hopefully I’ll make y’all proud and show how my passion for this game continues to shine through."
Tabor finished the season with team-best numbers in interceptions (four) and defended passes (10) while also recording 33 tackles and recovering a fumble. In 37 games (26 starts) over his three-year career, Tabor accumulated nine interceptions and 37 total defended passes. His 28 career pass breakups are tied with Vernon Hargreaves for the eighth-most in program history.
"Tabor has some of the best ball skills among cornerbacks in this draft class," McShay wrote. "... His technique still has some room to grow, but it's hard to ignore Tabor's natural anticipation and elite production."
Tabor is the fourth UF player this year to announce he's leaving school early in favor of the NFL Draft, joining left tackle David Sharpe, fellow cornerback Quincy Wilson and linebacker Alex Anzalone. The deadline for a non-senior to declare for the NFL Draft is Jan. 16.
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